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Varane amazed at Real Madrid progress

Raphael Varane has warned his Real Madrid team-mates of the attacking threat posed by Galatasaray on the eve of their quarter-final clash.

Madrid are favourites to progress to their third successive Champions League semi-final after eliminating Manchester United in the first knockout round.

But Jose Mourinho's men will be up against it on Wednesday when Galatasaray arrive at the Bernabeu, with the Turkish giants boasting the likes of tournament joint-top scorer Burak Yilmaz and Didier Drogba.

"Galatasaray have no fear of playing against us," the Madrid defender told reporters.

"They are going to attack us and are capable of creating problems. That means we need to attack more than they do. We must look to create them more problems than they do us.

"We know (Burak) Yılmaz is a good player, a great attacker. He is quick and very physical. We will have to be aware of him and his movements."

"I am not nervous. I am aware of the pressure outside but I am focused on my task. At this level we have all to be focused because in any given moment they can create a problem, they can be very quick going forward.

"We have studied them. We will be looking to anticipate what they do. It will be an intense match and we will have to adapt to it."

It has been a breakout year for Varane, with the 19-year-old French international cementing himself in the heart of Madrid's defence.

Varane has missed just one of Madrid's eight Champions League matches this season, and the Lens product has stressed the important of continuing to improve at what he perceives to be a pivotal point in his career.

"This is a very important stage in my career and is great experience. It is a huge bonus for me to be playing and let us hope I can continue to advance," he added.

"Last year I was working on a day-by-day basis and never imagined such a quick advance into the first team, but I will continue working hard in order to continue to get better."